Employment law 5 in 5: November 2025

At a glance

• Recording working hours: updated guide
• Developments in Canada
• Recent changes in Oman
• Recent developments in the US
• Global employer briefing 2025 review/2026 preview

Recording working hours: updated guide  

The latest edition of our Recording working hours: A guide to employer obligations across the EU and the UK is now available, with information on developments across 26 jurisdictions. GENIE subscribers have interactive access to country information, including workers in scope, recording obligations, record retention requirements, sanctions and penalties, insights into local enforcement action, and expected future legislative developments.

Developments in Canada

Québec has introduced reforms to strengthen workplace protections. A proposed regulation would require employers to implement measures to prevent sexual violence, including formal complaint procedures, impartial handling of reports, and mandatory training refreshed every three years. Also, Québec’s overhaul of its occupational health and safety regime now requires employers with 20+ workers to adopt comprehensive prevention programmes, while smaller establishments must maintain action plans. Health and safety committees or liaison officers, mandatory training, and a register of hazardous substances are also required, with updates to the CNESST every three years.

In British Columbia, Bill 30 proposes up to 27 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave within a 52-week period for employees unable to work due to serious illness or injury.

Recent changes in Oman

Oman has enacted Sultani Decree No. 92/2025, modernising its legal framework for disability rights and repealing previous legislation. The Minister of Social Development is empowered to issue new regulations, with existing rules remaining unless they conflict with the new law.

Foreign-owned companies must now employ at least one Omani national within their first year, under Ministerial Decision No. 411/2025. Expatriate workers whose contracts are not registered within 30 days of permit renewal gain the right to transfer employers. New penalties apply for delays in renewing permits or registering worker details, with fines capped at OMR500 per worker. Employers meeting Omanisation targets receive fee reductions, while others face doubled fees.

Recent developments in the US

The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued a one-page technical assistance document, 'Discrimination Against American Workers Is Against the Law' and announced that it had updated its national origin discrimination landing page to provide workers and employers with information about 'what national origin discrimination can look like in the workplace' and how workers can act if they believe their rights have been violated. 

At the state level, Pennsylvania is the latest state to adopt protections against hair discrimination; a Nevada bill incorporates key provisions of the federal Portal-to-Portal Act into state law; and Columbus, Ohio passed a new pay transparency bill.

Global employer briefing 2025 review/2026 preview

Register for our webinar on 11 December 2025 when our global employment partners will share insights on significant legal and regulatory employment law developments from the past year and offer a look at what's ahead in 2026. 

Topics will include workforce challenges in response to economic and geopolitical uncertainties; expansion of pay transparency and gender equality measures; regulation of artificial intelligence in the workplace; shifts across the DEI landscape; proliferating leave rights and related challenges; changes to the standard workweek, from hybrid working to shorter hours and a right to disconnect; immigration and workforce mobility reforms; enhanced workplace fairness and anti-discrimination legislation; and a round-up of other significant regional and in-country changes.